ISRO 2020 Mission: Sun Mission, Gaganyaan & Mini-PSLV!

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) continues to impress by scaling new heights every year. What will be the aim of this reputed organisation for the upcoming year?

The wish list include Interplanetary Mission Aditya L1 (Sun) by Mid-2020, First Unmanned Test-Flight of Gaganyaan Mission carrying a humanoid by December next year, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle Testflight (SSLV) and Launch of more than 10 Satellites such as Communication Satellites Gisat1 and Gisat-12R, Earth Observation Satellites Risat-2BR2 and Surveillance Satellite Microsat. ISRO Chairman K Sivan confirmed the milestones aimed for the next calendar year.

Aditya L1 Mission permits the ISRO Scientists to study Solar Corona. 'A 400 kg Satellite PSLV will carry the spacecraft with six scientific payloads will be entering the Halo Orbit at Lagrangian Point 1 (L1) that's 1.5 million km from the Earth,' said ISRO Chief.

The Rs 10,000 crore Gaganyaan Mission is meant to carry a Robot with Human Features to the space. This move helps ISRO to execute Manned Mission in future. While the first test-flight will happen in December 2020, Second Unmanned Mission is scheduled to happen in July 2021 and First Manned Mission would be launched in December 2021.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle Testflight (SSLV) is aimed at cutting the cost of satellite launches. This Launch Vehicle weighing only 110 tonnes could be assembled in just 3 to 5 days as against PSLV which takes 40 days. As it can handle payload weighing 500 kg to the low earth orbit, Launching Small Satellites using it is the best adjustment.